Buddhist Practices Flashcards by Shiv Ahluwalia

What is a gompa?

A hall or building where Tibetan Buddhists meditate

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a temple?

A place where Buddhists come together to practice

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the features of a temple?

• A main hall or building where Buddhists practice together, containing a statue of the Buddha
• A meditation hall or building, a quiet space for meditation
• A study hall or building for meetings and lectures
• A shrine or multiple shrines dedicated to the Buddha
• A pagoda or stupa

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a stupa?

A small building in a monastery that sometimes contains holy relics

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a rupa?

A statue of Buddha, often sitting cross-legged in a meditation pose

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a vihara?

Buddhist monastery, where monks and nuns live

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a shrine?

An area with a statue of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, providing a focal point for meditation and devotion

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What three things do Buddhists offer at shrines?

• Candles
• Flowers
• Incense

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What do candles on shrines signify?

Wisdom, as the light drives away the darkness of ignorance

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What do flowers on shrines signify?

Annica (impermanence), as they will eventually wilt and decay

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does incense on shrines signify?

Purity, reminding Buddhists to practice pure thoughts, speech, and conduct

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the purpose of Buddhist worship?

To express gratitude and respect for the Buddha and his teachings

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some ways that Buddhists worship?

Meditation, chanting, making offerings, reciting mantras, and bowing

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is puja?

The act of worship

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What do Buddhists chant and why?

They chant sacred texts, such as the five moral precepts, to increase receptivity to the Buddha

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a mantra and why is it chanted?

A sequence of sacred syllables that are repeatedly chanted; believed to have transformative powers and to focus the mind

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a mala?

Prayer beads used to count the number of recitations in a mantra

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What do Buddhists do before meditation?

They recite verses praising the three refuges

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the purpose of meditation?

To develop a still, calm, and focused mind, gaining greater understanding and awareness of the Buddha’s teachings

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which type of Buddhists practice Samatha meditation?

Theravada Buddhists

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is Samatha meditation?

‘Calming meditation’; a type of meditation that calms the mind and develops concentration

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the purpose of Samatha meditation?

To focus on one object to develop a calm, concentrated mind, often seen as preparation for Vipassana meditation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which type of Buddhist practices Vipassana meditation?

Theravada Buddhists

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is Vipassana meditation?

A meditation practice that develops understanding of the nature of reality

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the difference between Vipassana and Samatha meditation?

Samatha focuses on a neutral object (like a candle flame), while Vipassana explores various things objectively

Who practices Zazen meditation?

Zen Buddhists

What is the purpose of Zazen meditation?

To gain a deeper understanding of the nature of reality

What is visualization?

A meditation practice where the meditator visualizes an object in their mind in great detail, examining its qualities

What is a thangka?

A detailed painting of a Buddha or Bodhisattva

What is a mandala?

An intricate, circle-shaped pattern used for meditation

What is deity visualization?

Visualizing not a god, but someone enlightened, including their physical self and qualities

Some Buddhas or Bodhisattvas that a Buddhist might focus on include:

• The ‘Medicine Buddha’ (related to healing) • Avalokiteshvara (related to compassion) • Buddha Amitabha (for Pure Land Buddhists)

What are mandalas and their significance?

Mandalas are paintings made of colored sand that, when completed, are wiped away to signify annica (impermanence)

What are two Buddhist beliefs about death?

• Kammic energy leaves the body upon death and is reborn • Funerals signify impermanence

What happens in Theravada funerals?

Little money is spent on the funeral; money is donated to worthy causes to transfer merit to the deceased for a better rebirth

What is a sky burial?

A Tibetan Buddhist practice where the body is left on a high place for vultures to eat

Why do Buddhists have festivals?

To remember and celebrate the Buddha’s life and teachings, and to practice with other Buddhists

What do most festivals celebrate?

Important moments in the Buddha’s life

How are festivals sometimes celebrated in the West?

In Buddhist retreats where like-minded Buddhists spend time and practice together

What is Wesak and when is it celebrated?

A festival on the full moon in the month of Vesak, commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing into parinirvana

How might Buddhists celebrate Wesak?

Lighting candles, making offerings, giant paper lanterns, chanting from Buddhist scripture

What is light a symbol of?

Pushing away darkness and ignorance, leading to enlightenment

What is Parinirvana Day?

A Mahayana festival commemorating the Buddha’s passing into Parinirvana, a solemn occasion for reflection on impermanence

What is the importance of Parinirvana Day?

To remind Buddhists about impermanence and reflect on future death while remembering deceased loved ones

What is kamma?

Intentional action, either good or bad deeds

What are ‘skilful’ actions?

Good, ethical actions or behavior

What are ‘unskilful’ actions?

Bad, unethical actions or behavior

What does kamma impact?

The future world in which the person will be reborn

How might Buddhists improve their kamma?

Helping the poor, avoiding harm to animals, showing patience in teachings

What is karuna?

Compassion; concern for the suffering of others and the desire to relieve their suffering, such as becoming a Bodhisattva

What are the four sublime states?

Loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity

What is metta?

Loving-kindness, a general attitude of kindness toward all beings, without expecting anything in return

What is the difference between metta and karuna?

Metta is wishing others happiness; karuna is wanting to alleviate their suffering

Why is developing metta important?

It dissolves tendencies toward greed and hatred

What is loving-kindness meditation?

A form of meditation to develop metta, starting with oneself and gradually extending to all beings

What are the five moral precepts?

1. Abstain from taking life 2. Abstain from taking what is not freely given 3. Abstain from misuse of the senses or sexual misconduct 4. Abstain from wrong speech 5. Abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind

What is the root precept?

To abstain from taking life (not harming)

Why are the precepts different from commandments?

Commandments are rules, while precepts are guidelines

What are the six perfections?

1. Generosity 2. Morality 3. Patience 4. Energy 5. Meditation 6. Wisdom

Mindfulness of breathing

A meditation practice focusing on the experience of breathing